Schools and other educational institutions should broaden their focus on employee well-being. This is because the recent update to Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR-1), published in May by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, now requires companies in all sectors—including the education sector—to incorporate the prevention of psychosocial risks into their occupational health and safety (OHS) management systems. The regulation will take effect on May 26, 2026.

As part of Occupational Risk Management (ORM), psychosocial risks are taking center stage and are no longer viewed as peripheral issues. The standard now recognizes factors such as excessive pressure, interpersonal conflicts, workplace bullying, work overload, and exhausting work schedules as structural elements of the occupational environment that must be seriously identified, monitored, and prevented.

For schools, in practice, this means that their concerns must go beyond physical or ergonomic risks to also take into account stress, emotional exhaustion, and the mental health of educators and other staff members at the institution.

Among the measures provided for in the new regulation are:

• Mapping of psychosocial risks, taking into account the specific characteristics of each sector and job function;
   
• Involvement of employees in the assessment and decision-making processes, through active listening and open channels of communication;
   
• Revising or creating internal policies that promote mental health and prevent emotional distress;
   
• CIPA’s participation, when applicable, in the planning of initiatives aimed at psychological well-being;
   
• Priority should be given to preventive measures, taking into account the severity of the risk and the number of workers exposed.

The standard also underscores the importance of employee engagement. Creating an environment of trust and transparency, where people feel safe to report risky situations and collaborate on collective solutions, has become a legal and ethical obligation for organizations.

For school administrators, entrepreneurs in the education sector, and HR professionals, understanding these changes is essential. Ensuring healthy, respectful, and legally compliant work environments is not only a legal requirement but also a necessary step in light of the growing mental health issues in the country.

In 2014, nearly 203,000 Brazilians were on leave from work due to depressive episodes, anxiety disorders, reactions to severe stress, and other mental health issues. Ten years later, in 2024, the numbers more than doubled, rising to over 440,000 leaves of absence due to mental and behavioral disorders—a record high in the historical data series. Data from the Ministry of Social Security show that, compared to 2023, last year’s figures are striking: the increase was nearly 67%.

In addition, as of January 2025, burnout syndrome has been officially recognized as an occupational disease, which further increases the responsibility of institutions to take preventive action.

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